Why Seniors Are Living Longer in the Modern Age

By Rob Buck, 9:00 am on January 21, 2016

Seniors are now living longer and in much better health than ever before. Though receiving high-quality Anchorage home care can have a significant effect on this, there are also other factors at play. Here are just a few reasons and ways your elderly loved one can live a healthier and longer life.

Healthier Lifestyles

Seniors who practice healthy habits have the best chance of living a longer life. Eating healthy, taking vitamins, walking regularly, avoiding smoking, and drinking infrequently are lifestyle changes your loved one can make to raise his or her chances of living a long and fulfilling life. To prevent your loved one from becoming overwhelmed by too many lifestyle changes at once, encourage him or her to set the goal of one positive change at a time.

Fewer Terminal Effects from Common Illnesses

According to material gathered from the National Center for Health Statistics, one of the main reasons a senior may have an increased lifespan is due to a sharp drop in mortality rates from well-known illnesses such as pneumonia, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. They came to this conclusion through a study done on approximately 90 percent of death certificates in the United States. A decrease in deaths from these illnesses is partly due to medical breakthroughs and groundbreaking treatments.

Participation in Activities That Reduce Stress

Stress can negatively impact a senior’s mental and physical health, which can lead to stress-related diseases and a shorter lifespan. There are activities your loved one can do to reduce his or her stress level, such as taking up a hobby, napping to get rejuvenated, socializing, or participating in a religious practice. These activities can help your loved one keep his or her life as stress-free as possible, increasing the chances of having a higher quality, extended life.

Increased Help from In-Home Care Professionals

Seniors who need help caring for themselves may live a longer life if they have a loving caregiver to assist them. An elderly care professional can work with your loved one and your family to ensure your loved one finds a purpose in life and remains in good health. A professional Anchorage caregiver will also work closely with your loved one to make sure he or she stays positive and receives the proper care while maintaining as much dignity and independence as possible.

To learn more about how in-home care can help your loved one live a longer and healthier life, reach out to Home Care Assistance. Our caregivers are trained in the revolutionary Balanced Care Method, which is based on the studies of elders in Okinawa, Japan, where lifespans over 100 years are not unusual and people over 70 commonly have good health and remain independent. We also offer specialized Parkinson’s, post-stroke, and dementia care Anchorage seniors can rely on. For more information on the Balanced Care Method and our other senior care services, call one of our experienced Care Managers at (907) 770-0907 to schedule a no-obligation consultation.